When Baldur’s Gate 3 launched, it didn’t just revive a classic CRPG series. It completely redefined what the genre itself could be. Larian Studios set a new bar not only for turn-based RPG mechanics but also for player agency, cinematic storytelling, and emotional investment. It was lightning in a bottle: the kind of success that very few developers manage to pull off once, let alone twice. And now, with Baldur’s Gate 4 on the horizon, the question isn't whether Wizards of the Coast should make a sequel. It's how to, or where to, even begin.
The choice to continue to build off the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 is obvious. Baldur’s Gate 3 was a runaway success both critically and commercially. But that success brings pressure. Every decision moving forward—such as story direction, gameplay mechanics, companion dynamics, and especially the choice of development studio—has significant importance. Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro are keen on making Baldur’s Gate 4, and the companies will likely work quickly to see it through compared to BG3. But quick doesn’t mean easy. If anything, the high bar set by BG3 means that every step taken must be intentional, measured, and made with long-term trust in mind. The next studio to work on the franchise must understand the spirit of Faerun, the expectations of a post-BG3 audience, and the delicate balance between homage and innovation.
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Wizards of the Coast has a Lot of Important Decisions to Make For Baldur’s Gate 4
Wizards of the Coast finds itself at a pivotal crossroads with Baldur’s Gate 4. Following the critical and commercial triumph of Baldur’s Gate 3, expectations are stratospheric; understandably so. Larian Studios didn’t just revive a beloved franchise; it redefined what fans expect from narrative RPGs. Now, the burden of building a sequel that lives up to that legacy rests squarely on WotC’s shoulders.
Every decision, whether it concerns narrative direction, gameplay mechanics, creative leadership, or selecting a development partner, holds significant importance. Catching lightning in a bottle twice is no small feat, but with a clear vision and the right team, Baldur’s Gate 4 has the potential to honor its predecessor while carving out its own place in gaming history.
How Will Baldur’s Gate 4 Relate to Baldur’s Gate 3?
Just because Baldur’s Gate 3 follows in Baldur’s Gate 2’s footsteps doesn’t mean it hesitated to leave its own mark on the larger history of Faerun. However, it did so with a balance of innovation and respect for the source material. Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces another eldritch horror in the form of mind flayers as its main evil, but still draws from the Bhaal influence as a persistent threat that endangers the heroes deep into Act 3.
There are opinions that the new game should stay closely aligned with Baldur’s Gate 3’s events. Others in the community believe that Baldur’s Gate 4 starting anew would be best to avoid direct comparisons to what was arguably a masterpiece. Ultimately, the decision depends on Wizards of the Coast’s creative vision.
The game might focus on the Bhaalspawn threat, as in Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2, or the illithid menace from Baldur’s Gate 3. It could even forge a new path altogether. What is certain, however, is that it cannot completely break free of established conventions and still be considered a Baldur’s Gate game.
Will The Baldur’s Gate 3 Cast Make a Comeback?
Every element of the BG3 production contributed to its overall success. From minor UI adjustments to significant story decisions, each detail contributed to making Baldur’s Gate 3 a game that resonated across audiences. One standout aspect that delighted fans was the incredibly talented cast, whose performances truly brought the companions to life.
While BG3 made its own mark on the franchise’s story, it also embraced some of the most iconic characters from Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2. By revitalizing these characters, BG3 introduced fans to familiar faces who quickly became modern favorites.
The stars of the game dedicated years to perfecting their performances, delivering some of the best acting in gaming over the past decade. And the cast of BG3 has expressed interest in revisiting roles, even independently of Larian’s involvement. This places a lot of pressure on WotC. Although Baldur’s Gate 4 might not focus on BG3’s heroes, it’s difficult to imagine the franchise’s future without characters like Jaheira or Astarion, who have become emblematic of the series.
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The Biggest Question for Baldur’s Gate 4: What Studio Will Develop It?
To make a golden goose, Wizards of the Coast needs the right partner to help lay the golden egg. The million-dollar question is who will take the helm after Larian Studios’ decision not to pursue BG4. As the most critical dilemma in the Baldur’s Gate 4 equation, Wizards of the Coast faces the ultimate pressure when it comes to choosing the partner to develop BG4. Perhaps what would serve Wizards of the Coast best in this scenario would be a keen grasp of what made Larian Studios the ideal partner to bring Baldur’s Gate 3 to life.
Proven Veterans, No Matter The Size
Larian Studios had a strong track record supporting its bid for Baldur’s Gate 3. The Divinity series proved that Larian understood what makes a high-fantasy RPG stand out in a market with competitors like The Witcher and Dragon Age. It managed to achieve this even as a significantly smaller studio compared to most of the major players in the industry.
Any studio ultimately chosen for Baldur’s Gate 4 should have a proven record of success. Whether it’s produced some of the industry’s top titles or indie gems, said track record should clearly demonstrate its capabilities.
Thinking Outside the Box
During development, Larian Studios took pride in granting its team strong creative freedom. It expanded what players believed was possible within an RPG, breaking those limits with a vast sandbox for experimentation. Choosing unconventional problem-solving approaches in Baldur’s Gate 3 is arguably the most enjoyable way to play, reflecting Larian Studio’s confidence in their creation.
Larian Studios understood that it was offering the industry a daring project. Despite this, it remained committed, learning from Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access phase and ultimately delivering what became 2023’s Game of the Year. The studio working on Baldur’s Gate 4 should be aware that player expectations for creativity are now extremely high.
The Ultimate Choice: External versus Internal Studio
Arguably, the most consequential decision Wizards of the Coast must make is whether to keep Baldur’s Gate 4 development in-house or trust an external studio once again. Larian Studios was not part of WotC’s internal operations, and that creative distance allowed them to reimagine Baldur’s Gate with boldness, care, and the unique identity that made BG3 a landmark title. That independence gave Larian room to experiment and ultimately deliver a game that players trusted and loved.
The internal development model could be one WotC could explore more seriously post-Exodus. And by hiring people like Corinne Busche for mysterious projects at Skeleton Key Studios, the rumors practically write themselves.
This internal model offers more control but also carries risk. Internal studios often struggle with the same red tape, resource limitations, or risk-averse decision-making that external partners can sidestep. But whether the next golden goose is raised internally or externally, the foundation has to be trust: trust in the team, trust in the audience, and trust in the storytelling power of the world it's built.
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A World After Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t just succeed as a D&D game; it became a new gold standard for CRPGs. Its success proved that players crave complex character interactions, truly branching narratives, and systems that reward creative thinking. The bar is now dramatically higher. Any sequel, spiritual successor, or new D&D-based game will inevitably be compared to BG3’s level of polish and responsiveness. Even veteran developers may struggle to meet the standard of care that Larian set, and it raises the question of whether that level of player freedom is sustainable in large-scale development going forward.
Filling Larian’s Shoes
Larian’s absence leaves a creative vacuum that’s hard to fill. Their distinct blend of dark humor, moral ambiguity, and earnest character writing is part of what made BG3 feel so alive. It wasn’t just that the game worked; it was that it felt hand-crafted with reverence for both the source material and the player. Finding another studio with the same creative DNA will be one of WotC’s biggest challenges.
Whether Baldur’s Gate 4 ends up being a direct sequel or a new chapter entirely, players will be watching closely. The community that rallied behind BG3 is passionate, vocal, and deeply connected to the world of Faerun. If Wizards of the Coast listens and partners with a team willing to do the work, there’s still every chance the next game could rise to the occasion.
Baldur's Gate 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
